Mind Over Blather: 2009

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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy 2010 To Everyone

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Archived Comments

Morris ~

Happy New Year, Taylor.

May the Lord bless you during this year.

Jan 01, 2010 12:17

Taylor ~

It's Morris, the Sane Aussie! It's good to see you around here, it's been a long time. What a nice way to start off 2010. Thank you, Morris.

Jan 01, 2010 18:38

WaterBoy ~

Happy New Year, Taylor!

Hope you get to take that Fall color tour this year.

Jan 04, 2010 02:49

Taylor ~

Hello, WaterBoy, and a most happy 2010 to you! I think there are a lot of changes coming my way this year. We shall see what's in store, but I'm not going to make any predictions as every time I try to predict even my own life, an unexpected event trips up my plans.

Jan 04, 2010 04:30

AJW308 ~

Taylor, thank you for the good will.

May God continue to bless you and keep you safe through the coming year.

Jan 04, 2010 16:29

Taylor ~

Thank you, AJW. I appreciate that.

Jan 04, 2010 16:47

Giraffe ~

Happy new year, Taylor.

Jan 04, 2010 21:30

Taylor ~

Hey, Mr. Giraffe. Thank you. God willing, 2010 will be a good year. Maybe this new decade will be the start of new things for me as well.

I hope the year has gotten off to a good start for you, Giraffe.

Jan 05, 2010 01:04

Difster ~

Feliz Año!!!!!

May each year be better than the rest!

Jan 05, 2010 04:28

Taylor ~

Hola, Señor Difster!

Thank you. Yes, we always have hope for good things to come. And why shouldn't we? We have an awesome God who knows the number of hairs on our head, and our Lord who is always with us.

Jan 05, 2010 06:48

EN ~

Life is good, even if it gets tough. Here's to life and a new year.

Jan 05, 2010 16:07

Res Ipsa ~

Taylor,

May you have a wonderful new year.

Jan 05, 2010 20:44

Taylor ~

Life is good, even if it gets tough. Here's to life and a new year. Even IF? You mean "even when", don't you? But I know what you mean. Yes, a new year. Who knows what it will bring to each of us.

Jan 06, 2010 04:08

Taylor ~

Thank you, Mr. Res. I think I am going to try to have a wonderful year, and I pray God will show me how.

Jan 06, 2010 05:38

MendoScot ~

Sorry that I missed las fiestas con Taylor, we were travelling and not online much.

All the best to you and yours in 2010, Taylor.

Cariños desde Mendoza.

Jan 08, 2010 16:18

Taylor ~

Hey, I didn't see you there, MendoScot! Thank you.

Oh, there was nothing to miss here. You were much better off traveling with the family than hanging out online with us bloggers.

May 2010 be a good year for you and your family there in Mendoza.

Les mando cariños desde Dallas, Texas - dónde nos estan congelando las nalgas !

Jan 09, 2010 18:58

Jamie R ~

I fell asleep at 9 PM and slept right through all the fireworks and stuff being let off. Didn't give a crap either, ah ageing.

Jan 10, 2010 09:55

Taylor ~

And here's the Mad Aussie!

It's wise not to give a crap about things that don't mean anything - like how one spends one's evening on Dec 31.

I hope 2010 will bring good things to you, Jamie.

Jan 10, 2010 19:49

Jamie R ~

I expect it to, you know if you got on Facebook you could see the journey. You've already missed all the pictures from Canada and the USA and my take on the picture stories. And all the other stuff going on Down Under.

Jan 11, 2010 07:09

Taylor ~

I'd like to see all that! You have a blog, you know. I follow that and have enjoyed your posts about your trip, I also subscribe to your youtube videos, too.

You're asking too much to expect me to run with that Facebook herd. No, I won't do it. I don't think. Maybe. I'll have to think about it. OK. Fine. I'll join, but just to see your stuff. I have no interest in socializing. So, once I join, I have to beg you to be my friend, then, if I'm lucky, you will allow me to see your stuff? Oi. I hate that crap.

I'm messing with an ex-boyfriend on twitter. Heh. I follow him, and he obviously knows it. Though I've never directed any tweets to him, I will make comments that are obviously responses to his comments. And it gets to him. Oi. He's such a weenie, he deserves it. And he's a doctor, newly married, with a baby, but he whines like a baby himself.

I almost had regrets about breaking up with him, but it's obvious why I did - it could have never worked out.

Jan 11, 2010 17:33

Taylor ~

OK, it's done. I added you as a friend. Now I guess you have to wave your magic wand so that I may be allowed entry into your magical facebook kingdom.

I like that profile photo of you and Sarah on the basketball court.

Jan 11, 2010 19:47

JD Curtis ~

Saludos Taylor. I hope all is well with you.

Damn Cowboys. I was expecting it though.

Abrazos

Jan 12, 2010 01:46

Taylor ~

Hola, JD.

Yeah, these days it must be as hard being an Eagles fan as it is fun being a Cowboys fan. Most people did not expect the Eagles would get dominated like that again.

I'm doing OK. I hope your 2010 has started out good and gets even better.

Abrazos a vos tambien, JD.

Jan 12, 2010 02:45

Giraffe ~

Vikings are gonna stomp the Cowboys.

Jan 13, 2010 20:26

Taylor ~

You wanna start, eh? That's fine with me. I'm ready to rumble.

Stomping, you say. I see. I shall have to devote an entire post to this subject... You have been warned.

Jan 14, 2010 00:56

Giraffe ~

Bring it sister.

Jan 14, 2010 20:03

Taylor ~

Oh, I will, brother.

Just not yet! :)

Jan 15, 2010 17:46

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Simply Beautiful

Trees
By Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Trees are magnificent things. The neighborhood where I live has many big, tall trees and all kinds of greenery, but on a recent trip to an old part of Dallas, I was dumbstruck by all the old giants that soared over the residential homes that were nestled amongst them. I kicked my puny oak tree when I got home. Not really. It's a beautiful, big oak tree.

I love trees in all seasons, even after winter rains and winds have stripped them of all their foliage. As the world becomes darker and uglier, the beauty in little, everyday things becomes more appealing to me.

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EN ~

Beautiful they are. I live in an old neighborhood with many oaks, dogwoods and Japanese Maples. This time of year is the proverbial "riot of color". Then there's the vineyard on the hill down the street. The affect of looking out across the hills and seeing all this red, yellow, greens and earth, is something not to be missed.

Dec 02, 2009 20:30

Taylor ~

That sounds lovely, EN. I can only imagine the scenery in your neck of the woods, which has so much natural beauty. I've been to California several times, but never made it that far North.

Dec 02, 2009 22:40

WaterBoy ~

Probably my favorite poem, one of only a few I can even stomach. Beautiful picture accompanying it, too. Thanks for the exceptional afternoon pick-me-up.

One of the things I miss most about living in the northern tier of this country is the magnificent color change in the fall. Here in the Colorado Rockies, there is less variety in the foliage where the deciduous trees are mostly aspen. It's still a great trip driving up into the mountains on those narrow, unpaved roads through the rocky wilderness, but just not as colorful.

Dec 03, 2009 21:52

Taylor ~

My aunt told me of the amazing Fall colors she saw when she and her husband went to visit his hometown and family in Michigan. She said it was like the trees were on fire. That's what you're talking about.

I forgot about the Aspens. My sister lives in Arizona and when I visit we'll take a drive up to Flagstaff for some sightseeing of the mountains and snow. The Aspens are beautiful.

Dec 04, 2009 00:47

WaterBoy ~

It's a full-blown phenomenon amongst some people. They'll mix a long drive with a couple stops to visit area wineries and cider mills along the way.

Here's a little sample:

Fall begins Golden fire Colors of the rainbow

Dec 04, 2009 03:30

WaterBoy ~

(cont'd)

Rainbow II A little side trip Best for last

Dec 04, 2009 03:30

Taylor ~

Poor Big Sam. Yeah, trees are beautiful but they can be deadly if they fall on you. But wood is awesome.

Thanks for those pics.

It's like nature's big finale at the end of the show, setting off the fireworks. Then it goes to sleep.

I never tire of the beauty in nature.

Dec 04, 2009 04:26

WaterBoy ~

"It's like nature's big finale at the end of the show, setting off the fireworks. Then it goes to sleep."

Well put.

Dec 04, 2009 04:50

bob k. mando ~

don't kick your poor oak tree.

water and fertilize it ... and wait.

patience, grasshopper.

Dec 05, 2009 17:34

Taylor ~

Heh. I was only joking. My oak is big, only not as tall as those 100 year old trees. Right now its leaves are a red that can't be closely compared to any other red.

I've never watered or fertilized it. It must have one heck of a root system, tapping into waters way down there. Droughts don't faze it in the least. It's an amazing design that maintains that gigantic amount of living matter.

Dec 05, 2009 18:07

bob k. mando ~

Heh. I was only joking.

but of course.

however, what humor value could i have gotten out of this if i had only read you figuratively?

Dec 08, 2009 07:56

Res Ipsa ~

Nice post.

When we were first married Mrs Ipsa and I took a color tour of the NE. It was great.

Dec 16, 2009 02:25

AJW308 ~

Taylor, We've had a day of fog, then it turned cold(er). All the trees here have 1/2" of hoarfrost on them. They seem to absorb stress as well as sound. To me, the most peaceful place in the world is a forest lost in winter.

Dec 18, 2009 16:24

Taylor ~

When we were first married Mrs Ipsa and I took a color tour of the NE. It was great.

I've always wanted to do that, but have yet to actually plan it. It's the long car trip thing - being cooped up in a car too long is rather unpleasant for me. Now, if I was traveling in one of those really nice huge motorhomes, where I could walk around, have a glass of wine, prepare a meal, and sleep, without first having to stop at some strange place and deal with strangers, I'd go for it.

Dec 19, 2009 18:32

Taylor ~

To me, the most peaceful place in the world is a forest lost in winter.

I know exactly how you feel. Some of the fondest memories from my childhood are of riding my horse through a quiet, dead still forest on a sunny but frigid winter day, stopping at those cozy little nooks of sunshine blocked off from the biting wind to soak up a little warmth.

Of course, all that peace and tranquility instantly vanishes when your high-strung horsie imagines a long, thin branch lying on the ground to be a dreaded snake, causing her to immediately and without warning leap into the air like a gazelle... Heh. Great times.

Dec 19, 2009 19:35

Arielle ~

As the world becomes darker and uglier, the beauty in little, everyday things becomes more appealing to me.

Me, too.

Dec 21, 2009 13:54

Res Ipsa ~

Taylor,

Go anyway. Make a plan and take the trip. You can save some driving and get a flight and rent a car. As for hotels, either do what I do. Stay in the cheapest thing available because you're not going to sleep all that well, or make it a B&B tour. The B&B's are going to be more expensive that time of year but it may well be worth it.

Dec 21, 2009 19:33

Taylor ~

Hi, Arielle!

We're probably not alone. I imagine that the blatant corruption and in-your-face vileness of today's world leaves decent people to seek respite wherever it can still be found.

Dec 21, 2009 19:43

Taylor ~

It just occurred to me that what would be even better is to make it a kind of camping/car trip. I don't know what sort of camping facilities are available in those parts, but I'd go for that. Your tent, food and all your gear are in the car as you drive wherever you please, then you find a nice campground and set up your tent, cook the meal, drink your brandy, etc... Yeah, I could go for that.

Dec 21, 2009 19:49

Res Ipsa ~

We did some camping when we went. I remember that some of the camp grounds had nice facilities and showers.

Dec 22, 2009 07:43

AXCrom ~

I do miss the colors changing here in Houston, the trees simply go from green to brown, usually over a weekend.

I took my wife (who was born in Houston) to Missouri last fall to see some friends of mine and she was astonished at the beautiful colors we saw, the vibrant reds and yellows and oranges that painted the mountainsides. The Ozarks are something to see in the fall.

Dec 24, 2009 14:02

EN ~

Just wanted to wish you a personal Merry Christmas Miss Taylor. Here's hoping your life shines as bright as your usually unseen heart.

Dec 24, 2009 16:18

Taylor ~

I do miss the colors changing here in Houston, the trees simply go from green to brown, usually over a weekend.

That's no fun at all. Dallas isn't that far from you guys, but there's a quite a difference in our climates. Houston's climate is very similar to that of Buenos Aires, where I was born. Now that I think about it, there's no burst of color in the Fall there either.

Dec 26, 2009 01:23

Taylor ~

The kindness we receive is a gift. Your kind thoughts here are just the same. Thank you, EN and Merry Christmas to you.

I hope your life shines brightly as well, EN. May you and yours be blessed.

Dec 26, 2009 02:57

Saturday, October 10, 2009

China Gets Hummer From US

I'm quite sure that upon hearing this story, I am not the only one who immediately considered the sordid double entendre. It is too obvious to not have it come to one's mind. Sadly, its meaning is actually the more pathetically realistic one - well deserved though it may be. The economically and spiritually ravaged USA has been reduced to turning cheap tricks for Chinese businessmen.

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farmer Tom ~

Since I am naive, I have to admit that I do not know what the double entrendre is. I assume it must be something sexual from the last sentence, but I've never heard the term related to any sex act I know of.

Oct 11, 2009 02:59

Difster ~

It's another word for blow job Farmer Tom.

Taylor, we've been blowing China for years. My I could get so metaphorically graphic here. Yikes. I shall refrain.

Oct 11, 2009 03:38

Taylor ~

Farmer Tom, I only picked up on this meaning of the word from the same blogs we both peruse. Evidently, you weren't paying attention. :)

Oct 11, 2009 18:50

AJW308 ~

I'm with Taylor. The things I've learned in this little corner of the blogosphere cover the full spectrum, though I didn't pick up on the second meaning through my disdain.

Oct 12, 2009 17:07

toothy ~

You are missed over at Vox's place, just FYI.

Hope you and yours are well.

Oct 16, 2009 19:24

toothy ~

I guess I should mention that was directed to taylor, but you other guys are slacking too!!

Oct 16, 2009 19:25

Taylor ~

Thank you, toothy. It's always good to know that one is missed. Of course, a big mouth like mine can hardly not be missed...

Me and mine are doing well. Breathing, shelter, food - got all the basics covered. I can't complain and I don't, much.

Oct 16, 2009 22:51

Giraffe ~

I think I'll go home and ask the Mrs. for a double entendre.

Oct 16, 2009 22:52

Taylor ~

Heh.

With you being a Giraffe and all, I could come up with a few responses here, but I don't want to go there.

On to more polite matters... Congratulations to you and your wife for a second baby on the way. Wow. Two little ones must be such a handful. But this time you'll be experienced.

Oct 16, 2009 23:15

Giraffe ~

Well, Farmer Tom asked what a double entendre was, and Difster told him it was a blow job.

Oct 16, 2009 23:22

Giraffe ~

And thanks.

Oct 16, 2009 23:23

Taylor ~

Giraffe, you've hit on the triple entendre.

Oct 16, 2009 23:29

Taylor ~

Or is that a double double entendre? In which case it could be an entendre squared.

Oct 16, 2009 23:33

Difster ~

Farmer Tom said he didn't know what THE double entendre was, not that he didn't know what A double entendre was. I took it to mean that he didn't know the double meaning of a hummer.

Oct 18, 2009 04:39

AXCrom formerly Crom ~

I recently asked about you over at Vox's as to why you weren't posting anymore and I did not see a response...

I for one miss your acerbic wit and I hope you return to not suffer fools gladly more often. Yours is a unique perspective and while I don't believe that you and I have ever directly spoken to one another, you are missed.

Oct 20, 2009 01:55

Taylor ~

We are pulling your leg, Difsta dude.

And just where did YOU pick up on the meaning of this word? Hmmm? I was an innocent bystander.

Oct 20, 2009 02:29

Taylor ~

Hello, AXCrom. We have spoken to one another before, on this blog, I believe. You're in Texas, right? If not, then you're not the blogger I was thinking about, but I am very familiar with your handle as you're a regular at Vox's.

I didn't realize that unabashed hatred for all things vile and evil was a unique perspective. Heh.

Thanks, Crom, I appreciate your stopping by.

Oct 20, 2009 03:07

AXCrom formerly Crom ~

I am the Crom from over at Vox's, I changed my handle to something unique since it was hijacked by an atheist asshat over there recently.

I am in TX, and I do check your blog occasionally - I don't remember commenting but it's likely that I did at some point. Anyway, glad to see you are still around and hope to read more of your stuff in the future.

Oct 20, 2009 16:12

MendoScot ~

I guess I'll have to give up using "ho hum" for possible misunderstandings.

And I will manfully resist making comments about how you parked your Hummer.

Oct 20, 2009 18:02

bob k. mando ~

music to sell your automotive division by: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwEkagPTPKw

Oct 20, 2009 19:21

EN ~

Bob, that was sooooo gay. It was very cruel, and downright painful, of you to post that video. I must ask. How did you know it was there? You're under suspicion as of now.

Oct 20, 2009 21:56

bob k. mando ~

Bob, that was sooooo gay.

maybe so, but not near as gay as soccer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqv8UJc72SU

How did you know it was there?

i didn't know it was there. i was trying to google songs with humming in them and that was the best i could come up with. pulling up Indian music with "Hum" in the title gets tiresome after a while.

i'm pretty sure the Chad Mitchell Trio has some stuff with real humming, but i can't find anything on youtube and i don't have my cd collection to hand so i can't look for myself. i think maybe "Hang on the bell, Nellie" from Mighty Day on Campus. probably some other stuff as well. "Moscow Nights"?

now, which scares you more; that i have Chad Mitchell Trio cd's or that i can find that ... whatever it was?

You're under suspicion as of now.

muwahahahahahahahaha.

*rubs hands together*

because making you nervous is all part of my dastardly plan. i will continue with these small steps to earn your trust .......

darn it, screwed up again.

Oct 21, 2009 02:31

Res Ipsa ~

"Of course, a big mouth like mine can hardly not be missed..."

"But this time you'll be experienced."

This blog used to be much more family friendly and not nearly as tongue in check...

Nov 09, 2009 17:04

Taylor ~

??? Neither of those statements were said tongue in cheek. Both were perfectly straightforward and stated within a family friendly context.

I am very surprised you would see it otherwise, Res.

Nov 10, 2009 01:22

Res Ipsa ~

"I am very surprised you would see it otherwise, Res."

No your not. :)

I'm sticking to the double entrendre theme and getting the most mileage from it.

Nov 10, 2009 05:08

Taylor ~

So, now I'm a liar AND I have a dirty mind.

That's nice.

Nov 10, 2009 12:05

Res Ipsa ~

Taylor,

???

I've been working the last couple of days. I just checked in.

No offense was meant.

Please reread my remarks from the point of view of MY milking the double entrendre theme by misconstruing and changing the context of your innocent comments.

Now are you surprised that I said it? I was having a little fun in slightly bad taste.

Nov 12, 2009 05:47

EN ~

"I was having a little fun in slightly bad taste."

Was the bad taste in your mouth? OK, I'm going now.

Nov 19, 2009 18:02

Taylor ~

I need to put up a new post...

Nov 19, 2009 19:51

EN ~

A new post would be good. At heart I'm (still) a childish 13 years old. All the reverence and respect to you personally, but I still grin every single time I read the title of this post.

Nov 19, 2009 20:28

WaterBoy ~

Now, Taylor...you've known most of your commenters long enough to know what kind of response you were likely to get from them.

Mission Accomplished 8)

Nov 20, 2009 16:44

Taylor ~

I didn't consider the shenanigans factor inherent in this post.

Nov 21, 2009 00:56

Monday, August 31, 2009

August "Wrap Up"

August has come and gone without a single post from me. I want to get something in here before it is officially over. Let's see... Oh, I burned a good part of my torso yesterday - not seriously, but it was red and really smarted for a good while. Burns, even minor ones, cause so much pain. It was a freaky little accident, quite unforeseeable really. This was a first, and last, as I usually learn my lesson from these mishaps. Unfortunately, there seems to be no limit to the ways I find to do stupid things that put me in bodily danger.

I was on my way to visit Cousin at his shop and decided to take everything for a mate. So, I got out the handy-dandy pump action Nissan thermos, then partially filled it with boiling water to rinse it out. I closed the top and had just begun to shake it a little to get the boiling water all around the inside, when, instantly, the boiling water exploded out the spigot and all over me. It kept spewing out that water like it was possessed! I jumped back but it was too late. The damage had been done. I immediately put ice water all over the area to stop the burning, then covered it all in white sugar and wrapped myself with an ankle bandage to keep the sugar in place. It's all gone now and good as new. That's the sweetest I've been in a long time.

Here's the month of August in history:

1 The first U.S. Census is completed. There are four million people in the U.S. in 1790.

2 Wild Bill Hickock is killed during a poker game. He was holding a "Dead Man's Hand", two pair aces and 8's. (1876)

3 The Nautilus, a nuclear powered submarine is the first submarine to cross the North Pole under water. (1958)

4 Champagne is invented by Dom Perignon. (1693) I'll drink to that!

5 Little Orphan Annie comic strip debuts. (1924)

6 Murderer John Hart is the first person to be executed in an electric chair (1890)

6 Baseball pitching legend Cy Young pitches his first his first game, a win. (1890)

6 The Atom bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan by the U.S. (1945)

7 The "Order of the Purple Heart" is created by President George Washington (1782)

7 Through an Act of Congress, the Federal Goverment takes over the creation and maintenance of the nations' lighthouses. (1789)

8 The Daughters of the American Revolution organization is created. (1890)

8 The USSR finally declares war against Japan. (1945)

9 Animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes premieres, with new star Betty Boop! (1930)

9 President Richard M. Nixon becomes the first and only president to resign while in office (1974)

10 The village of Chicago is incorporated. (1833)

10 "Smile, You're on Candid Camera". Allen Funt's wildly popular show debuts. (1948)

11 The Beatles begin their last US concert tour. (1966)

12 US annexes Hawaii. (1898)

13 Spanish defeat the Aztecs Indians and conquerors Mexico City. (1521)

14 Japan surrenders, ending World War II. (1945)

14 Get a whiff of this...the Whiffle Ball was patented on this day. (1953)

15 The Panama Canal is opened. (1914)

16 Gold is discovered in the Klondike. (1896)

17 Construction is started on the Berlin Wall. (1961)

18 The 1,000 Islands bridge, connecting the US and Canada is dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. (1938)

19 Indianapolis Speedway holds it's first auto race (1909)

20 The Civil War is formally declared to be over by President Andrew Johnson. (1866)

21 Venetian blinds are patented. (1841)

21 Hawaii becomes the 50th state. (1959)

22 The Mona Lisa is stolen from the Louvre (1911)

23 The first picture of Earth from the moon is taken by Lunar Orbiter 1. (1966)

24 The infamous Mount Vesuvius eruption buries the city of Pompeii. (79)

24 The Waffle Iron is patented by Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York. (1869)

25 Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia was born. (1530)

25 Amelia Earhart completes her trans-continental flight. (1932)

26 Julius Caesar's Roman army invades Brittain (55 BC)

26 U.S. Congress passes the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. (1920)

27 The island volcano of Krakatoa in Indonesia erupts. It was heard over 3,000 miles away and was one of the biggest natural disasters ever recorded. (1886)

28 Senator Thurmond begins a 24 hour filibuster against the Civil Rights Bill. (1957)

29 Walt Disney's Mary Poppins is released. (1964)

30 The Late Show with David Letterman premieres on CBS. (1993)

31 Heavy weight champion Rocky Marciano dies in a plane crash near Newton, Iowa. (1964)

I guess with all the crap that happens in this world, I should consider myself lucky to have gotten through August with just a red tummy.

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Archived Comments

Difster ~

FIRST!

I haven't been blogging much either. Most of my spewing is done on Facebook as of late.

It took me a moment to figure out you meant mah-tay, not a life partner. I knew you didn't mean that you were going to mate with your cousin. And I was a bit puzzled how a thermos constitutes necessary gear for a mate.

I'm a little slow sometimes.

Sep 01, 2009 05:07

Jamie R ~

I see stuff that can burn you is still a terrorist threat in your every day tasks.

Sep 01, 2009 10:49

Taylor ~

It took me a moment to figure out you meant mah-tay

I imagine most people wouldn't automatically pick up on that. And that pronunciation would make you sound like such a gringo! Heh. It's mah-te - the e as in egg. All e's are always pronounced that way. Vowels in Spanish have one and only one pronunciation.

Sep 01, 2009 15:23

Taylor ~

I see stuff that can burn you is still a terrorist threat in your every day tasks.

I figured you'd be amused by that, recalling past incidents. I really am not a klutz, but stuff like that does seem to happen to me. It's a good thing I heal fast.

Sep 01, 2009 15:44

Athor Pel ~

I hope you figured out why the hot water spewed out and will not do it again.

Things can go the other way as well. A container that is hot inside being cooled off too quickly while sealed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5l0K62n8B4

Sep 02, 2009 05:14

Taylor ~

Well hello, Mr. Pel.

I figured I was the victim of physics gone wild - just like that tank. Geez. That's a pretty awesome force. I wish our politicians had the same properties. Unfortunately, they will never lack for hot air to offset the external pressure...

Sep 02, 2009 23:36

AJW308 ~

I hang with a bunch of Brits on the net. Mates and fags are standard fare with them.

I've always pictured you that sweet, just not with fools, morons, or imbeciles.

I do have an Argentina question: I've been told that insults are part of the accepted social fabric. For example a guy would introduce his friend "This is Mike, the ugliest guy I know" or "This is Sue, the easiest slut in town" and everyone would laugh, knowing it was a joke. Is this true?

Sep 03, 2009 16:38

Taylor ~

I've always pictured you that sweet, just not with fools, morons, or imbeciles.

Thank you, AJW. And don't forget liberals. I do not suffer liberal sons of bitches.

I do have an Argentina question: I've been told that insults are part of the accepted social fabric.

Yeah, that's true, and generally associated with Porteños, those of us from the port city of Buenos Aires. We will insult anyone and everyone, and have the dirtiest mouths in the Southern hemisphere - maybe Northern too. It is not a social fabric for the timid.

Sep 03, 2009 19:24

AJW308 ~

Sounds like a fun place to visit.

And I'm sorry for forgetting liberals, though it's kind of implied by 'fools, moron, and imbeciles.'

Sep 04, 2009 16:47

Res Ipsa ~

Here I was hoping the belly burn was caused by the sun, as part of your effort to give us a good euro-tan pic to help us morn the end of summer. ;)

Sep 11, 2009 02:02

EN ~

Was wondering what happened to you? Glad to read your still around. Hope all is well.

Sep 15, 2009 15:21

Taylor ~

Nice to hear from you, EN. All is OK, not bad, eh, I guess the best that can be expected living through the fall of Western civilization.

A string of rainy and cooler days has been a wonderful change from summer's oppressive heat.

It may surprise and disappoint Res to know that here in Texas we don't mourn the end of summer in any way, shape or form. We dance for joy - fully clothed... :)

You wouldn't relate to that either, being in northern CA.

Sep 15, 2009 16:36

EN ~

I like fall quite a lot. Winter? Not so much. It's in the mid 80s and dry here. but it will be back in the 100s by next week. Winter won't arrive until after Thanksgiving. I'll wait here for it.

As for the fall of Western Civilization, what the hell? Wasn't doin' much else of any real value. Besides, it has already fallen and we missed it.

Sep 15, 2009 21:06

Taylor ~

Feeling the fall weather in the air always makes me happy. We're done with the 100s for the year. I didn't realize you guys got that hot over there.

Already fallen? Well, I suppose a man who is free-falling could be said to be already fallen. That inevitable recontact with terra firma is the real doozy and I think we have yet to witness that.

Sep 16, 2009 02:45

Doh-San ~

Interesting stuff. One small correction though: the Berlin Wall was begun in the night of 12-13 Aug 1961, not the 17th.

Sep 23, 2009 09:15

Taylor ~

Hello, Mr. Doh-San. Thank you for that correction. There is usually some error in these "factoids". People can be so sloppy with details. When it's very important, I never take anyone's word on anything and will look it up - unless I know the person is a stickler for details. It tends to irritate them, but that's too bad. I have been given flat out wrong information on too many occasions and automatically assumed it was correct. And I really feel bad if I then pass on that wrong information to someone else.

Hmmmm. I'll have to look up this date now...

Sep 24, 2009 02:32

Taylor ~

Hey, that question about the Berlin Wall was just now on Jeopardy! And Doh-San is correct.

Sep 24, 2009 17:11

JD Curtis ~

And you put sugar on it?! That's a new one on me ;-)

Sep 29, 2009 20:39

Taylor ~

It works. Plain white sugar. I guess the reason sugar is so hard on your internal organs is the same reason it's good for burned tissue - it's a pure chemical, sucrose, very bio available to the damaged tissues. I have no idea what the exact mechanism is, but I assume that somehow sugar enables the tissues to repair themselves much faster than they could otherwise.

Sep 30, 2009 02:00

Professor Hale ~

TIme to do your Sept monthly rollup.

Oct 01, 2009 17:08

Taylor ~

I know! My little brain is always coming up with things that I could blog about, but this newly acquired ADD doesn't allow me to sit still and concentrate long enough to write it down. Alas. Such a loss to humanity. :) Seriously. I've got a lot of things bouncing around in here.

Oct 01, 2009 18:26

bob k. mando ~

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090217/ARTICLES/902170327?Title=Taylor-s-Law-to-be-introduced

Oct 04, 2009 16:34

Taylor ~

Ha! Good. Teenagers aren't human. They shouldn't drive at all. As I've often said, teenagers should be shipped to an island and not allowed to return to civilization (such as it is) until they turn 20. But when I recently told this to an acquaintance, she made a very good point that they'd probably build a ship and come back to kill us all. Heh.

Like a reformed alcoholic, I may be over-reacting to those terrible teens. I was an unusually terrible one.

Oct 04, 2009 17:11

bob k. mando ~

really? i had thought it was merely amusing.

now i find out that Taylor is the acknowledged queen of Alabama. *raise eyebrow*

Oct 05, 2009 01:11

Taylor ~

Queen of Alabama? That's one hell of an insult.

Oct 05, 2009 18:59

bob k. mando ~

heh, even southerners fall prey to the anti-south bias.

would you prefer "Queen of Memphis" or is that still to far south?

http://www.clevver.com/music/video/199796/confederate-railroad-queen-of-memphis-music-video.html

Oct 05, 2009 22:36

Taylor ~

It's Queen of Texas or nothing.

And playing that country music in my presence would be just beggin' for a beheadin'. In fact that would be my saying, "You're beggin for a beheadin', ain't ya?"

Oct 06, 2009 01:05

bob k. mando ~

saucy wench, behave yourself or i shall "gone to TX" and tweak your tender midriff. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dr_John_Zoidberg.png

if i had been trying to insult you, i'd have called you "Queen of the Republik of Kalifornia" or some such thing.

and as far as the country goes, my musical tastes are ... erm, ahem, ... "well rounded"? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYhsKsMtb8Y

Oct 06, 2009 04:07

Taylor ~

I have never had my tender midriff tweaked. And I am not about to start - most especially by the likes of someone who would listen to that migraine music. Good God. I managed to listen to 29 seconds of that before my neurons began writhing in agony.

That Zoidberg guy reminds me of the Ood from Dr. Who.

Oh, to be Queen of the Republik of Kalifornia... The illegal Mexicans couldn't run back to Mehico fast enough. The liberals would be tripping over themselves to cross flyover country. The faggots and the hippies... It would be a slaughterfest. Taylor the Terrible would clean house.

Oct 06, 2009 17:45

bob k. mando ~

Good God. I managed to listen to 29 seconds of that before my neurons began writhing in agony.

as i said, my musical tastes are "well rounded" ( others may prefer "indiscriminate" ). perhaps my Nina Simone, Robin Trower or Moody Blues cd's would be more your speed.

regardless, Marty Robbins is some good music. that he was a racer is just icing.

That Zoidberg guy reminds me of the Ood from Dr. Who.

i do not understand where these unauthorized photographs of me are coming from. ;_;

The illegal Mexicans couldn't run back to Mehico fast enough.

because there are no illegals in Texas....

heh.

i eagerly await news of the next iteration of the "Taylor Law".

perhaps you will start taking your pistol with you in the car? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wMa_t5cBgY

( more agony writhing ensues )

Oct 06, 2009 19:19

Friday, July 31, 2009

Menorca

Somehow, someway, sometime, I must visit this little jewel in the Mediterranean. I've Google Earthed all over it. From its white powder beaches, turquoise and lapis lazuli waters, to its coves and inlets, to its interior of grassy rolling hills and quaint farm houses, to its pine treed walkways leading to the beaches, Menorca isn't just gorgeous, it's also very civilized, which is the way I prefer islands to be.

View Archived Comments

Archived Comments

Difster ~

FIRST!

That place looks absolutely awesome!

In the third picture, the boats look like they're floating above the water.

You should just move there and work from the beach!

Aug 02, 2009 01:19

Taylor ~

Hey there, Difster.

Yeah, Menorca is like a dream to me. I included that pic specifically because to me it looks just as you describe - like the boats are floating. I've seen quite a few pics now of boats in Menorca waters that look the same way, so I don't think it's just that one pic. The water around there must crystal clear.

My only problem is that Menorca is part of Spain, in the belly of the EU beast. I don't know if I could handle the leftist socialist attitudes there, the prohibitive gun laws, the sky high taxes, controls out the wazzoo, and who knows what sort of ungodliness is commonplace.

I've become wholly disgusted with this world. But, it wouldn't hurt to take a trip there to see for myself what kind of life is to be had. After all, I do speak the language.

Aug 02, 2009 02:01

Difster ~

Mind your business, find a weapon off book, keep your money off shore. There's always a way.

Aug 02, 2009 03:24

Taylor ~

Of course there's always a way, but only if there's a will.

And I've looked at this and thought about it but can't figure out what you mean by "weapon off book".

Aug 02, 2009 20:06

AJW308 ~

No papers. Off the gov't books. Unlicensed. Black. Untraceable.

Until now, I never would have thought that sailboats could levitate on a combined mixture of beauty and relaxation.

I too want to see the Southern (Nate, don't excited yet) coast of Europe. I've always thought it would be the Southern coast of France, but this place does make me reconsider.

After all, not only do I have an internet friend in Spain, there are some historical sites there I'd like to see.

Aug 03, 2009 16:59

Giraffe ~

Glad to see a post. I clicked the comments because I also found the levitating sailboats remarkable.

Aug 03, 2009 17:43

Taylor ~

Oh! Thanks, AJW. Regardless of how one acquires the guns, restrictive gun control laws will make you more of a criminal than the criminal you're defending yourself against. That's really the problem.

I like exploring around historical places, too. Menorca has ruins, megaliths, and man-made caves that go back to 2000 B.C. I guess people have been hanging out on Menorca for a long time. But for the oldest of all, there's nothing like the Middle East. How I would love just to explore all over that part of the world.

Aug 03, 2009 19:06

Taylor ~

Glad to see a post.

July was coming to an end, and I wanted to get in one post for the month. I am an utterly pathetic blogger.

If you Google Earth around Menorca and click on the photo icons, you'll see more of those amazing levitating boats. You'll also see how beautiful the interior is. It's an absolutely lovely little island.

There are more exotic and beautiful islands in this world, like the Seychelles (unbelievably beautiful), but they're wild, primitve, with jungles and stuff - meaning full of scary critters. Ick. They'd be great for a vacation getaway, but not for a permanent homestead.

Aug 03, 2009 19:24

MendoScot ~

Two words, Taylor. English tourists.

It might not be so bad now that the UK is imploding, but it used to have an awful reputation for yahoos.

Still, the photos are lovely.

Aug 03, 2009 19:59

Taylor ~

Hola, MendoScot.

I have read that the English flock to the Balearics. But, I'm surprised the Gallegos would put up with them acting like yahoos.

From what I've read, Menorca is more family oriented and quieter than Mallorca or Ibiza. Hopefully, all the yahooing is happening on those other islands. Like I said, I'd spend a while there before making any decision. I have a friend of a friend who lives in Mallorca, and has invited me to visit. That's a big help to have a local connection.

Aug 03, 2009 20:24

MendoScot ~

Yes, it is. My comment was based on old info and my brothers trip there I don't remember how long ago. He used to pretend to be Russian when he travelled to avoid being mistaken for the hated Sassenach, but I understand that it's no longer a good idea - the Ivans having managed to acquire their own bad rep along the way.

Suerte.

Aug 03, 2009 20:43

Taylor ~

Hah. Pretending to be another nationality can be an effective strategy, and one I've used before. But, Russian? I can't imagine that being an advantage, anywhere.

Hey, I learned a new word - Sassenach: a word used chiefly by the Scots to designate an Englishman. But, of course, I'm Argentine, with no need to conceal my English roots. There are quite a few of us Argentines living in Spain.

Aug 03, 2009 21:01

MendoScot ~

Hey, I learned a new word - Sassenach: a word used chiefly by the Scots to designate an Englishman.

More denigrate than designate - historically it's the Highlanders term of comtempt for a Lowlander.

The Argies living in Spain include one of my wife's cousins, and a bunch of our students from here - Argentine graduates are in high demand in the first world. The Idiots In Government haven't managed to destroy education here yet, altho' they are trying hard.

Time for me to go and pick the eldest up from her ballet class.

Un abrazo, Taylor.

Aug 03, 2009 22:08

Clay ~

Heya Taylor,

I was checking this place out, off the coast of Brazil. Know anything about it?

http://wiki.worldflicks.org/fernando_de_noronha.html#coords=(-3.8538,%20-32.4187)&z=13

Aug 07, 2009 20:13

Taylor ~

Hello, Mr. Clay. No, I don't know anything about those islands. They're pretty but very small. I mean, those are small enough that you'd want one all to yourself. Now, that would be very nice.

Aug 08, 2009 00:28

Clay ~

Doncha be calling me Mister, Missy.

Believe it or not, I first heard about these Island(s) because that Air France jet went down near them.

They sure look pretty, tho. Just looking for a gullible Gringo with some bucks.

Aug 08, 2009 09:09

Res Ipsa ~

T-Cakes,

Spain is very nice. I have fond memories of my time spent splashing about in those waters. My experience is that non-natives are generally left alone by the government provided they keep to themselves and stay out of trouble. If you really are thinking about making that kind of a change, drop me a line.

Aug 19, 2009 07:43

Taylor ~

Hey there, Res.

I had no idea you had been galivanting around Spain. Drop you a line for what? When I get there, do you want me to be on the lookout for any young Spaniards that look like you? :)

If and when I make such a move will depend on so many things to happen - none of which have yet to materialize.

Aug 19, 2009 15:49

Res Ipsa ~

Andorra

Google it.

Get a PO box, forwarding service, bank account(preferably one that has branches in Spain) and residency there. Legally emigrate if it suits your fancy.

Then get a little sea side villa on your island of choice. You will draw no attention from Spanish authorities unless you do something bad, like break an obvious law.

Should you need to conduct business a short boat ride followed by an, in my experience anyway, pleasant train ride to the mountains will get you to a nation where you can do so without a great deal of official oversight, and then another short ride home. The Spanish don't care and the American authorities can't do much about it.

I enjoyed my time in Spain, although most of my seaside experience was in Catalonia. I prefer the Spanish beaches to the french ones. Euro bathing is more enjoyable spectator sport when the women have less body hair than I.

Aug 19, 2009 20:06

Res Ipsa ~

Silly me I thought that Minorca was in the Canaries. You would be just a hop skip and a jump from Barcelona. I think you have to take a bus from Barcelona, but they might have the airport built now, so a plane ride might be faster. I rode the train from Perpignan and took a short bus, it only cost a few franc as I remember.

Aug 19, 2009 20:42

Taylor ~

That's interesting, Res. Thanks for that advice. At this initial stage of planning I would not have considered that, but it's a definite direction to the start of a plan. Woohoo!

Oh yeah, Menorca would be much closer to Andorra than the Canaries. And I love trains, especially through mountainous terrains.

If I ever get there, I'll have to remember to send you a photo of myself - and to be sure that I have less body hair than you. :)

Aug 19, 2009 21:42

Taylor ~

Get a PO box, forwarding service, bank account(preferably one that has branches in Spain) and residency there.

Things may have changed in Andorra. A quick search and I see that it's not possible to establish residency with only a PO Box and bank account.

Aug 19, 2009 21:57

Res Ipsa ~

183 days and you can be free of US Federal taxes forever. The requirements that are now in place aren't to difficult to live with. You can have your apartment there and a seaside bungalow on the island. There are two points of entry to the country that are maned, the others are roads you can drive across without dealing with customs. Whose to say when you are and are not in the country?

If you want to send euro tan pictures, you don't have to wait till you move to Spain. ;)

Aug 20, 2009 00:48

Taylor ~

How much money do you think I have? Own two living places - in two different countries - in Europe? Oh Res, you must have hit your head very hard...

I have dual citizenship. I am both an Argentine AND a US citizen - and have passports from both countries. Surely, I could use that to some tax advantage, somewhere.

If you want to send euro tan pictures, you don't have to wait till you move to Spain.

I do if I don't want to be a rotten little skank.

Aug 20, 2009 01:04

Res Ipsa ~

Taylor, I never would think of you as a skank. A hot blooded Argentine temptress, probably, but never a skank.

Aug 20, 2009 18:14

Taylor ~

Hot blooded Argentine temptress, huh? Heh. I can live with that, but it does make me smile. You guys have never seen my hot blooded Argentine temptress side...

Aug 20, 2009 20:19

Res Ipsa ~

I've always suspected that you're the olive skined super-model that sent Nate the naughty pictures for his harem a few years back. I'm just looking for visual conformation. ;)

Aug 20, 2009 20:53

Taylor ~

Well, sorry to burst your illusion, Res, but I'm not olive skinned, although I tan very easily, and I'm not a super-model, or then I'd have no problem affording those two residences in Europe. And I certainly would never send Nate any naughty pictures of myself. You're barking up the wrong blog if you think that!

If I was looking for that kind of attention, I would be doing things a lot differently. Even so, that kind of attention always seems to find me, which is why it's amusing to me when I hear those types of remarks of me being a temptress.

Aug 20, 2009 22:02

Res Ipsa ~

I guess its true what they say. When you've got it, you've got it.

I could love you just for your looks, but, I love you for all the other things you do for me, like fix my blog.

BTW if you're feeling adequately buttered up...

Aug 20, 2009 23:17

Taylor ~

Uh huh. Yeah, I think you know there's some buttering up to be done here...

I made all those changes to your blog, which was my pleasure. Then I asked you to tell me if you approved of the new look, or if you wanted me to change it back the way it was. I made it a point to tell you that I would not be offended if you didn't like the changes I made. And you never responded, never said a single thing about it. Then I see you totally go and wipe out everything and created a new template. That befuddled me - and I don't like to be befuddled. But then I remembered that you're a Pisces... :)

I will do anything you ask me to do, happily, but you have to specify EXACTLY what you want done, and afterward, you have to give me your final approval. If I don't hear back from you, I will consider it as an implied disapproval of the changes, and I will undo the changes. Hmph!

Yep. You've brought this on yourself, ResBaby.

OK, now that I've said my piece, I think we may proceed if you like. :)

Aug 21, 2009 00:06

Res Ipsa ~

I thought I told you it was fine and I liked it. Your a fantastic friend to work on projects for me.

I apologize for not letting you know how much I appreciate your work. I was trying to adjust the pic and I accidentally screwed it up and didn't want to bother you about it, after you spent all that time on it.

Please put everything back the way you like it best. It was a work of art that I had no business trying to work on without your direct oversight. If you could bring halo scan comments back, I and apparently everyone else, would be grateful.

My password, credit card numbers and Swiss bank account are still exactly the same as before so feel free to have your way with my blog.

Any photos of you that show up can be anonymous. :)

Aug 21, 2009 01:37

Taylor ~

Oh, pish posh. It was no work of art. I really, really wasn't fishing for compliments, Res. It's just that you know I'm very insecure about anything I do graphic design-wise. I am (was) a software engineer, not a freaking graphics designer. Until the client tells me my design doesn't stink, I will always have my doubts about it.

Alright, I'll get started on it. And I'm happy to do it without maxing out your credit cards or raiding your Swiss bank account. All I ask is that you return my emails when I ask you something regarding the work. And never be afraid to tell me you don't like something. It will probably be mutual anyway. I pretty much hate all my graphic work.

Aug 21, 2009 02:47

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Happiness Is...

Don't ask me, but everyone else has an opinion on this. For your listening pleasure, while you peruse the long list below, I've embedded Karajan - Beethoven Symphony No. 9

I haven't even read all of these yet, but I wanted to get this post up before JQP gets to Texas and hunts me down for causing him to lust after Matthew Macfadyen, who he knows he can never have.

Happiness quotes:

Abd Er-Rahman III of Spain: I have now reigned about 50 years in victory or peace, beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. In this situation, I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot. They amount to fourteen. (960 A.D.)

Albert Camus: You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.

Albert Camus: But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?

Albert Camus: All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out.

Albert Camus: When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him; and you are torn by the thought of the unhappiness and night you cast, by the mere fact of living, in the hearts you encounter.

Albert Schweitzer: Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

Albert Schweitzer: I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.

Albert Schweitzer: Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: One should never direct people towards happiness, because happiness too is an idol of the market-place. One should direct them towards mutual affection. A beast gnawing at its prey can be happy too, but only human beings can feel affection for each other, and this is the highest achievement they can aspire to.

Algernon Black: Why not let people differ about their answers to the great mysteries of the Universe? Let each seek one's own way to the highest, to one's own sense of supreme loyalty in life, one's ideal of life. Let each philosophy, each world-view bring forth its truth and beauty to a larger perspective, that people may grow in vision, stature and dedication.

Allan K. Chalmers: The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

Amy Lowell: Happiness: We rarely feel it.
I would buy it, beg it, steal it,
Pay in coins of dripping blood
For this one transcendent good.

Anne Frank: We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.

Anne Frank: The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

Aristotle: Happiness belongs to the self-sufficient

Baruch Spinoza: What everyone wants from life is continuous and genuine happiness.

Benjamin Disraeli: Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.

Bertrand Russell: The happiness that is genuinely satisfying is accompanied by the fullest exercise of our faculties and the fullest realization of the world in which we live.

Bertrand Russell: To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

Brother David Steindl-Rast : Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.

Buddha: Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others.

C. P. Snow: The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase, if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.

Carl Jung: There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.

Claude Monet: The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration.

Denis Waitley: Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.

Ecclesiastes: For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Edith Wharton: If only we'd stop trying to be happy we'd have a pretty good time.

Edward de Bono: Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox: The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind.

Eric Hoffer: You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy.

Felix Adler: The truth which has made us free will in the end make us glad also.

Fran Leibowitz: Remember that as a teenager you are in the last stage of your life when you will be happy to hear the phone is for you.

Francoise de Motteville: The true way to render ourselves happy is to love our work and find in it our pleasure.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.

George Burns: Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.

George Sand: There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.

H.H. the Dalai Lama: The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy.

HH the Dalai Lama: When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.

HH the Dalai Lama: Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.

HH the Dalai Lama: If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

Helen Keller: Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves.

Helen Keller: When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

Helen Keller: Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Henry David Thoreau: That man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.

Henry David Thoreau: The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?

Horace Friess: All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.

Hubert H. Humphrey: Here we are the way politics ought to be in America; the politics of happiness, the politics of purpose and the politics of joy.

James M. Barrie: Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.

James Oppenheim: The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.

John Barrymore: Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.

John D. Rockefeller: I can think of nothing less pleasurable than a life devoted to pleasure.

John Milton: The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven.

Kalidasa: Listen to the Exhortation of the Dawn!
Look to this Day!
For it is Life, the very Life of Life.
In its brief course lie all the
Verities and Realities of your Existence.
The Bliss of Growth,
The Glory of Action,
The Splendor of Beauty;
For Yesterday is but a Dream,
And To-morrow is only a Vision;
But To-day well lived makes
Every Yesterday a Dream of Happiness,
And every Tomorrow a Vision of Hope.
Look well therefore to this Day!
Such is the Salutation of the Dawn!

Kin Hubbard: It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness. Poverty an' wealth have both failed.

Leo Buscaglia: What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.

Ludwig Wittgenstein: I don't know why we are here, but I'm pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves.

M. Scott Peck: The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.

Marcel Proust: Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Margaret Bonnano: It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis.

Mark Twain: Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.

Mark Twain: Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination.

Mark Twain: Happiness is a Swedish sunset -- it is there for all, but most of us look the other way and lose it.

Mark Twain: The perfection of wisdom, and the end of true philosophy is to proportion our wants to our possessions, our ambitions to our capacities, we will then be a happy and a virtuous people.

Martha Washington: The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.

Mohandas K. Gandhi: Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Nathaniel Hawthorne: Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

Norman MacEwan: Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

Oliver Wendell Holmes: The world has to learn that the actual pleasure derived from material things is of rather low quality on the whole and less even in quantity than it looks to those who have not tried it.

Pearl S. Buck: Growth itself contains the germ of happiness.

Peyton Conway March: There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life -- happiness, freedom, and peace of mind -- are always attained by giving them to someone else.

Ralph Waldo Emerson: To fill the hour -- that is happiness.

Ramona L. Anderson: People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.

Robert Heinlein: Love is a condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

Robert Louis Stevenson: There is no duty we so underrate as the duty of being happy. By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.

Sophocles: Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness.

Susan B. Anthony: Independence is happiness.

Theodor Fontane: Happiness, it seems to me, consists of two things: first, in being where you belong, and second -- and best -- in comfortably going through everyday life, that is, having had a good night's sleep and not being hurt by new shoes.

Thich Nhat Hanh: Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

Thomas Jefferson: The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.

Thomas Jefferson: But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine.

W. Beran Wolfe: If you observe a really happy man you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, growing double dahlias in his garden. He will not be searching for happiness as if it were a collar button that has rolled under the radiator.

Willa Cather: That is happiness; to be dissolved into something completely great.

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Archived Comments

John Quincy Public ~

Twain rules again. Beautiful set of quotes T.

Jun 12, 2009 08:30

Roci ~

I believe you now have the most comprehensive list on happiness onthe internet. You must be proud.

Jun 12, 2009 13:24

Taylor ~

You must be proud.

It makes me happy. :)

Actually, I found this list simply by Googling "Happiness is". And there it was. Which was a good thing because I needed a new post and pronto.

Jun 12, 2009 16:24

cruft ~

happiness pretty much like porn, you know it when you see it.

Jun 14, 2009 23:16

cruft ~

I hate lists. it's one reason I can't stand churches. just won't sit thru another sermon on "the eleven reasons to do someting for happiness. did you read all or copy & paste?

Jun 14, 2009 23:19

Taylor ~

did you read all or copy & paste?
Both.

One good thing about the web - nobody is twisting your arm to read one word you don't want to read, much less a long list.

Jun 15, 2009 01:22

WaterBoy ~

Wait! You left off two of the most famous quotes of all:

Happiness is a warm puppy. -- Charles M. Schulz

Happiness is a warm gun. -- Lennon/McCartney

Jun 17, 2009 18:40

cruft ~

happiness is Jesse Stone series. netflix. bet you like this one.

Jun 17, 2009 19:23

Taylor ~

Never heard of any of those quotes, and I don't know who Jesse Stone is. But this one here needs some serious clarification:

Happiness is a warm gun...and a cold liberal.

You see what I mean? A warm gun and nobody dead means you missed. How can there be anything happy about that scenario. And of course, you'd want the dead person to be a worthless one, so logic would say that this quote really needs my addition if is to have any semblance of reality.

Jun 17, 2009 22:43

WaterBoy ~

"A warm gun and nobody dead means you missed."

...or you were just taking target practice at the range... ;)

Jun 19, 2009 00:21

Taylor ~

Well, I thought of that. But target practice equating to happiness? Nah.

Happiness = warm gun = good use of a gun = somebody who needed killin got kilt.

Jun 19, 2009 03:15

Taylor ~

OK, I'll make it simple. Here's another quote for the list: Happiness is a dead liberal.

Jun 19, 2009 18:46

WaterBoy ~

I took a shooting trophy once, and I was pretty happy about it. And nobody had to die for that.

Your latest entry is much more succinct. Cheers!

Jun 20, 2009 00:30

Taylor ~

Ah, but you did have a trophy to show for it. I simply specified the trophy, which is really the source of the happiness, and missing from the original quote.

Jun 20, 2009 00:58

WaterBoy ~

Hmmm, you do have a point. However, the trophy was merely the icing on the cake. Any day on the range shooting somebody else's ammo for free is a good day -- thus provoking feelings of happiness -- trophy or no.

Jun 20, 2009 22:24

Monday, April 6, 2009

Another Fine Englishman

Mr. Darcy has a rival.

PBS has been airing Andrew Davies' wonderful adaptation of Dickens' rags to riches story of Little Dorrit. I tried to resist Matthew Macfadyen's characterization of Arthur Clennam, but there is something about that man that is quite simply irresistible to me. And his velvety, sexy voice doesn't help one little bit.

Even if you don't happen to find 19th-century English gentlemen as dreamy as I do, I highly recommend the series.

Once in a great while there is something really beautiful and well-done on television and this is one of those times. The second of five episodes was shown yesterday. The first two complete episodes can be viewed online at the Masterpiece site.

A marriage proposal scene in the second episode breaks the heart into little pieces. Russell Tovey, the actor who portrays John Chivery, does a magnificent job. Everybody is just great in this Dickens classic.

The story has a very timely financial subplot as well.

I don't have the time to put together a decent post here, but I did want to tell you guys about Little Dorrit. And, of course, I needed some kind of post as an excuse to embed these pictures.

View Archived Comments

Archived Comments

Res Ipsa ~

What is it with you and pasty white men?

The more pasty and pouting they are the hotter you get over them.

Apr 08, 2009 07:14

Taylor ~

I know! And I have no idea why that is. You may as well ask me why I like asparagus. I just do!

But I'm thinking I need to take a trip to that little island - and try some asparagus...

Apr 08, 2009 07:58

Res Ipsa ~

If that isn't a phallic metaphor I don't know what is.

The problem with asparagus is that it takes several of them to equal the diameter of a standard American hot dog.

Apr 08, 2009 20:50

Taylor ~

You crack me up, ResBaby.

I could respond to this, but it'll just get me into more trouble.

You probably didn't watch the episodes, huh? That's OK, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I love period dramas.

Apr 08, 2009 21:13

Res Ipsa ~

I don't have cable or satellite and there is no other way for me to get TV where I live. I do like the literature of the period though. It was very telling of the society and its norms.

Apr 10, 2009 08:09

Taylor ~

The first two episodes are on online at the link I provided. Each succeeding episode will appear online after they air on TV.

I don't have cable or satellite either, but I do get regular ole TV. It's airing on our PBS channel.

You're not missing much by not having TV, but if you like the literature from that period, you might enjoy watching Little Dorrit online, if you have DSL. Download the Quicktime viewer if you don't have it installed. I think it's better quality than the Windows Media Player option they give you. The viewing screen is larger.

I just realized why I'm so attracted to this actor, which is odd for me because there are a lot better looking actors and I certainly don't have the same reaction to them. He looks just like a man who's been in and out of in my life.

I was watching a youtube video of some tribute to this actor, and it showed a clip of him as Mr. Darcy in the film version of Pride and Prejudice. My mouth literally dropped open. In that role he could be his twin. I haven't seen him in several months.

The brain plays a lot of tricks on us - at least mine does. Now it makes sense why I wrote up my post the way I did saying I tried to resist him.

I don't like this one little bit.

Apr 10, 2009 10:22

Taylor ~

I am not going to go running back to this man after ending it. I'm not. Dammit.

Apr 10, 2009 10:25

Taylor ~

I didn't see the resemblance because I've so totally put this man out of my mind, nor have I given him any thought at all.

Apr 10, 2009 10:36

Taylor ~

Now that it's all out in the open, I think it was just a subconscious thing. I don't have any feelings for this man. I certainly don't want to marry him or I would have already. Simple as that.

Still, it's kind of funny.

Apr 10, 2009 10:42

Res Ipsa ~

Are you feeling OK?

You're talking nuts again.

IF you have some spare time could you fix all the crap that has gone wrong on my blog over the last few months?

Apr 11, 2009 06:33

Taylor ~

Ha! I'm feeling fine. I was just a little rattled.

Now, about your blog. Yes, it needs some work. We can work on it tomorrow if you want.

Apr 11, 2009 09:40

Res Ipsa ~

How do you want to do it?

Do you want the code or would it be better for me to email you the password and sign in?

Apr 11, 2009 21:23

Taylor ~

Please, email me the password. It would be much easier for me make the changes than give you the code.

Apr 11, 2009 23:20

Clay ~

You two kids need to get a room, methinks.

Apr 14, 2009 19:06

Taylor ~

You silly Mississippi goose. I think your imagination is running away with you.

Apr 15, 2009 01:47

Clay ~

If I was to try running away with my imagination, it would resemble a sack race on an old episode of Leave It To Beaver:)

Apr 17, 2009 17:58

AJW308 ~

Way off topic, but a long time ago you wondered if eating a salad after dinner would be more beneficial since then there'd be a wad of ruffage behind the meal as it was digested.

It sounded logical to me.

My neighbor is a nurse and last night I mentioned that idea to her and she told me that the function of the salad is hat it essentially warms up your digestive tract and you digest the following food faster.

I'm not exactly sure what the benefit of 'digesting food faster' is, and as the conversation flowed, I didn't get around to asking.

But I thought you'd be interested, maybe.

Apr 30, 2009 17:24

Taylor ~

Thank you, AJW. I remember that thread.

Your friend could mean that the salad will trigger the secretion of the digestive enzymes so that when the more solid food arrives, it's more easily digested, broken down. You'd get more nutrition out of the food as it passes through your system.

This wouldn't necessarily refute the function of the roughage coming afterwards to push all that digested matter on through. That's the thing about roughage - it's not easily broken down and digested, so that undigested bulk pushes the more broken down stuff through the system.

It seems logical to me.

But yeah, eating or drinking something prior to the main meal is quite common - as in appetizers or aperitifs, which would serve the same purpose as your nurse friend suggested.

May 01, 2009 08:20

Res Ipsa ~

Taylor,

I have no idea what I've done with your email.

May 01, 2009 18:55

Taylor ~

OK, I'll send you one, Res.

May 01, 2009 20:55

Jamie R ~

Here you go, I think you'll like this video, concerning Mr. Darcy. As is the case, some local Aussie blokes have some insights.

May 27, 2009 11:08

Taylor ~

Insights? HAH! More like blindsights. Mr. Darcy would never come on to women like that idiot. And he's not nearly as classy or handsome as Collin Firth.

As lame as that was, it's still nice to see you around my neighborhood, Aussie man.

May 28, 2009 19:48

Jamie R ~

I check in from time to time, I saw that and immediately had to come on over and show you. I didn't realise how big this guy is among women here too. I'd watch the movie but I'd prefer to watch a replay of a Lakers game.

May 31, 2009 06:14

cruft ~

Taylor, since you like the neutered hero in this , see him intact in the BBC series "MI5". excellent, intellegent TV. brisish of course. get from netflix. it can be done on the cheap. women like BAD BOYS. or the strong, independent man appeals not the wimp. dickens was full of c..p and unreadable. altho "tale of two cities was " not bad at all. and if you enjoy rug burns have another go round with the old flame.

Jun 04, 2009 00:06

Taylor ~

I was watching and enjoying MI5 on our local PBS station before I saw Macfadyen in Little Dorrit. I did not like him or his character in MI5. But, as I said, there was something about him that got under my skin, when I realized what it was. And I wasn't crazy about the neutered hero, Clennam, either.

Rug burns. Old flame. Cute. But, I have wooden floors.

Jun 04, 2009 05:27

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